Morning links: Baldwin makes his move

Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, the focus of my story today, was deemed too small and too slow, and did not get selected in this year’s draft.

But Seattle’s personnel department liked the 5-10, 189-pound receiver out of Stanford and brought him in as an undrafted rookie free agent.

And so far the move has paid off. And after four games, Baldwin has a hard-earned title: Seattle’s leading receiver. Baldwin’s 12 receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown put him at the top of the list, even ahead of 41-million-dollar man Sidney Rice.

More impressive, half of Baldwin’s 12 receptions have gone for first downs. Those six receptions for first downs have taken place on the all-important third down, with Baldwin tied for ninth in the league in those situations.

“Obviously, it means a lot,” Baldwin said about the passes thrown to him on third down. “I don’t know the statistics, but that’s the first time I’ve heard that. That’s good to hear. It’s nice to be targeted on third down, and that’s my job – get the first downs when we need them.”